On behalf of Special Olympics New Jersey, I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the support of Governor Chris Christie and Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno with the signing of Bill S1855. This bill designates our organization as one of the NJ Charitable Funds residents may choose to endorse with a donation on their 2012 and 2013 New Jersey State income tax form. A special thank you also is extended to Special Olympics parent and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), Assemblyman John Burzichelli, (D-Gloucester), and Assemblyman Dan Benson, (D-Mercer), who championed the passing of this bill.

Special Olympics New Jersey will field a “Home Team” of 265 athletes with intellectual disabilities to the 2014 USA Special Olympics Games, which will be June 14-21, 2014. Under the new law, taxpayers will be able to include a contribution on their tax returns to the “2014 Special Olympics New Jersey Home Team Fund.” This bill will provide every New Jersey citizen an opportunity to allocate funds to Special Olympic athletes, who represent communities from across the state, so that they may compete at the highest level.

With the signing of this bill, Governor Christie, Lieutenant Governor Guadagno, State Senate President Sweeney and many others who helped to pass this legislation have paid the very highest tribute to the Special Olympic athletes of New Jersey in their quest to compete at the highest level and represent the “Home Team.”

Special Olympics New Jersey is proud to host the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games and invites New Jersey citizens from throughout the state to visit www.2014specialolympics.org to learn more about the Games and to get involved with Special Olympics New Jersey.

We welcome everyone to join in the celebration of Genuine Jersey Pride and contribute to the “Home Team” as they train for the 2014 USA Games.